New Commemorative Issue: 2008: Shaheed Bhagat Singh

[Figleaf]

Coins in memory of Bhagat Singh remain a distant dream
Manish Sirhindi, Panipat, June 7

It was in September 2006 that the Union Government decided to issue commemorative coins in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to honour the sacrifices made by him to help the country attain freedom. Even after four and half years of the same, the coins have still not become a reality. An RTI query by social activist PP Kapoor has revealed that the Union Government was unaware of the number of coins produced thus far to be put into circulation.

In reply to the query which was put up to the PMO, the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPAMCI) stated that commemorative coins of Rs 5 and Rs 100 denomination were produced by the India Government Mint (IGM), Kolkata only for the release function held at the martyr's native village Khatkar Kalan in Bhagat Singh Nagar district in Punjab in September, 2008. After which, the general public did not get to see the coins in circulation.

Though the SPAMCI stated that birth centenary coins of Rs 5 denomination were to be produced in ferritic stainless steel having a quality of 25 million pieces, it had no information about the number of coins produced till date. In the reply dated May 13, 2011, the corporation said that the dies for the same were being provided by IGM, Kolkata to IMG Hyderabad, which was assigned the task of producing these coins and work was under progress.

The corporation also mentioned that dies and punches were being arranged by IGM and blanks were being done by IGM Hyderabad. It stated that after minting the coins, these would be handed over to the RBI for distribution.

However, there was no mention of the coin of Rs 100 denomination in the reply . Social organisations led by the All-India Shaheed Bhagat Singh Brigade have already appealed to the Centre to introduce the commemorative coins of Rs 100 and Rs 5 denominations announced by it on the birth centenary of Bhagat Singh. Chairman of the brigade Yadavinder Singh Sandhu wrote a letter to the PM last year, urging him to bring the coins into daily.

Source: TheTribune

[The Oracle]

Coins in memory of Bhagat Singh remain a distant dream
Manish Sirhindi, Panipat, June 7

It was in September 2006 that the Union Government decided to issue commemorative coins in memory of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to honour the sacrifices made by him to help the country attain freedom. Even after four and half years of the same, the coins have still not become a reality. An RTI query by social activist PP Kapoor has revealed that the Union Government was unaware of the number of coins produced thus far to be put into circulation.

In reply to the query which was put up to the PMO, the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPAMCI) stated that commemorative coins of Rs 5 and Rs 100 denomination were produced by the India Government Mint (IGM), Kolkata only for the release function held at the martyr's native village Khatkar Kalan in Bhagat Singh Nagar district in Punjab in September, 2008. After which, the general public did not get to see the coins in circulation.

Though the SPAMCI stated that birth centenary coins of Rs 5 denomination were to be produced in ferritic stainless steel having a quality of 25 million pieces, it had no information about the number of coins produced till date. In the reply dated May 13, 2011, the corporation said that the dies for the same were being provided by IGM, Kolkata to IMG Hyderabad, which was assigned the task of producing these coins and work was under progress.

The corporation also mentioned that dies and punches were being arranged by IGM and blanks were being done by IGM Hyderabad. It stated that after minting the coins, these would be handed over to the RBI for distribution.

However, there was no mention of the coin of Rs 100 denomination in the reply . Social organisations led by the All-India Shaheed Bhagat Singh Brigade have already appealed to the Centre to introduce the commemorative coins of Rs 100 and Rs 5 denominations announced by it on the birth centenary of Bhagat Singh. Chairman of the brigade Yadavinder Singh Sandhu wrote a letter to the PM last year, urging him to bring the coins into daily.

Source: TheTribune

another case of foolishness.  they should be aware that 100 rs coins are not meant for circultation.  Just people looking for cheap political mileage. 

[Patney]

Where are the RS 5 coin on Bhagat singh of Kolkata Mint or Hyderabad Mint, I have never seen any Rs 5 coin in circulation, it was only offered in UNC and Proof Sets, Even RBI Website in its Press Release section does not have any press release for Rs 5 coin on Bhagat Singh.
Does any coin ever seen Bhagat Singh coin minted by IGM, Hyderabad Mint? 

[Coinsforever]

Dear Peter ,

It seems you are one of the true follower of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Still keeping this thread alive................................


Cheers

[Figleaf]

I follow the coin's story. It is still quite alive. An article like the one above wasn't placed for nothing. There is no cause for a journalist to draw his pen. No event, no speech, no petition, not even a photo opportunity. Someone has been pushing buttons, pulling strings or buying ad space. Obviously, whoever sponsored the article is interested in having the coin issued, probably for political reasons, including embarrassing the government. I think the coins are an interesting example of an issue that wasn't well thought out before a decision was made. Let sleeping dogs lie? Too late. The article already woke them up.

Politically, I am in the non-violence camp. It may not always be possible, but where it happens, it is quite rewarding to see. Just compare Egypt to Syria...

Peter

[kansal888]

I agree with Peter. Sometimes artificial scarecity is created for circulating coins of particular designs.

At present 5-6 different 5 Rs coins are being produced (Mother Teresa, Tagore, RBI 75 Years, Rajendra Prasad, Subramaniam). Suppose RBI gives indent for 8 million pieces of 5 Rs coins. Mints can very well produce 8 million coin in first 4 designs. This will make the fifth design rare.I don't know how mints finalize the quantity to be minted for each design.

There are numerous examples of above - Bhagat Singh, Land Vital Resources, 150 years of telecom. I can understand that Proof & Unc coins are made in limited number as per the bookings done by collectors. However I don't see any reason why general public be denied circulating commemorative coin.

GOI should ensure at least 1 million pieces of each design of commemorative coins are made. 

[The Oracle]

I follow the coin's story. It is still quite alive. An article like the one above wasn't placed for nothing. There is no cause for a journalist to draw his pen. No event, no speech, no petition, not even a photo opportunity. Someone has been pushing buttons, pulling strings or buying ad space. Obviously, whoever sponsored the article is interested in having the coin issued, probably for political reasons, including embarrassing the government. I think the coins are an interesting example of an issue that wasn't well thought out before a decision was made. Let sleeping dogs lie? Too late. The article already woke them up.

Politically, I am in the non-violence camp. It may not always be possible, but where it happens, it is quite rewarding to see. Just compare Egypt to Syria...

Peter

now i would have bought a bagful of these if they were issued but unfortunately this article wont get the coins issued. 

[Bimat]

There's a news that Bhagat Singh commemorative will be issued very soon but in nickel brass. Can't confirm this but certainly a shock for everyone!

Aditya

[asm]

There's a news that Bhagat Singh commemorative will be issued very soon but in nickel brass. Can't confirm this but certainly a shock for everyone!

Aditya

Which would indicate that they were minted and forgotten. Now the RTI / press queries have reminded some babu or may be some one saw bags of the coin lying around the vaults........ Since metal prices are lower than at the time it was decided to recall the Cu-Ni coins, some one in the RBI decided to release them.

Amit

[The Oracle]

Which would indicate that they were minted and forgotten. Now the RTI / press queries have reminded some babu or may be some one saw bags of the coin lying around the vaults........ Since metal prices are lower than at the time it was decided to recall the Cu-Ni coins, some one in the RBI decided to release them.

Amit

except they were made in steel and not copper nickel also what the other guy is saying is nickel brass and not copper nickel entirely different

[Coinsforever]

except they were made in steel and not copper nickel also what the other guy is saying is nickel brass and not copper nickel entirely different

Let it be with so many metallic /alloys variety , then ebay dreamers will offer "OMS" 

Which would indicate that they were minted and forgotten. Now the RTI / press queries have reminded some babu or may be some one saw bags of the coin lying around the vaults........ Since metal prices are lower than at the time it was decided to recall the Cu-Ni coins, some one in the RBI decided to release them.

Amit

Cheers

[asm]

except they were made in steel and not copper nickel also what the other guy is saying is nickel brass and not copper nickel entirely different

Sorry for the mess up. Early morning..... must have been drowsy.

Amit

[The Oracle]

Sorry for the mess up. Early morning..... must have been drowsy.

Amit

well india has only issued 50 coins this year so its remarkable that we havent all become drowsy  

[Bimat]

RBI to issue Rs 5 coins in Bhagat Singh's memory

21 FEB, 2012, 08.06PM IST, PTI

MUMBAI: RBI will soon bring out Rs 5 coin to commemorate freedom fighter and martyr Shahid Bhagat Singh.

One face of the coin will be divided into three portions with two horizontal lines and bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar as well as the denominational value of Rs 5, RBI said.

The other side will have the portrait of Bhagat Singh, with the words "Shahid Bhagat Singh Birth Centenary" in English. The figures 1907-2007 shall be shown below the portrait in International Numerals.

The iron and chromium coins will have a diametre of 23 mm, the Reserve Bank of India said in a statement.

The existing Rs 5 coins will continue to be legal tender, RBI added.

Source: Economic Times

[Bimat]

And here we have the official press release by RBI.

Link to .pdf version



Aditya